Annual Economic Plan for 2021-2022 unveiled

The Ministry of Economic Development and Fiscal Affairs (MEDFA) has announced its first Annual Economic Plan for the period of November 2021 to November 2022.

The plan was compiled and enacted by MEDFA in accordance with the Economic Planning and Development Act of 2021, which was enacted at the August session of the Congress of People's Councils earlier this year. This plan will likely differ from succeeding plans in that it mandates the creation of the basic foundations of the New Richmonder state economy. The plan asserts that the goal of the Central People's Government is not to create a self-sufficient economy on par with that of a macronational state; rather, it is to provide relief for New Richmonders in times of struggle and to pool resources, skillsets and manpower for any small-scale economic endeavors the people wish to undertake.

In her preface to the plan, MEDFA minister Brooklyn Hewitt says that "the relationship between the New Richmonder people and the so-called macronation which engulfs their Republic is one of unbridled exploitation," citing the status of rural Appalachia as one of the most neglected and poorly developed regions within the United States of America. Comrade Brooklyn continues to state that "it is therefore apparent that the first and foremost priority of the Central People’s Government ought to be the development of a small-scale socialist economy which exists purely to benefit her people, to alleviate some of the pain we intrinsically face as unwilling subjects of the American regime."

The plan sets out several initiatives for the economic planning period:

• The creation of the National Development Fund (NDF) which citizens may donate to of their own accord. NDF money will be used to help newly-established state cooperative entities acquire materials and begin operation, to fund state projects, and to provide financial relief to citizens in times of hardship. The plan sets a fundraising goal of 1,000 USD (about 85 USD per month) and mandates that MEDFA publish quarterly reports on the NDF's intake and expenditure to ensure "complete transparency".
• The establishment of Testerman State Agricultural Cooperative (or Testerman SAC), named for pro-labor mayor Cabell Testerman of Matewan, West Virginia who was killed in the Battle of Matewan. Testerman SAC will be responsible for all agricultural production in the Republic, distributing food to citizens in a way prioritizing necessity over want and producing goods such as jams, wines, etc. for export. The plan allocates no less than 300 USD from the NDF to Testerman SAC for the acquisition of tools and materials.
• The incorporation of Chakra Deity - a metaphysical jewelry store operated by Culture Minister Savannah Wellman - as Chakra Deity State Metaphysical Artisans' Cooperative (Chakra Deity SMAC). 
• The allocation of no less than 150 USD to the Central People's Government Press Office to fund the purchase of the domain name newrichmondrepublic.org for the government web portal.
• Various secondary projects in the event of the completion of the above primary initiatives, such as the acquisition and distribution of national flags and the creation of uniforms for the Corps of Revolutionary Guards.

The plan can be read in its entirety here.